SHELBOURNE’S UEFA Women’s Champions League journey came to a gut-wrenching end yesterday after a 3-0 defeat to Icelandic champions Valur.
Noel King’s side sealed their progression to the Round One final on the Champions Path in Slovenia after a 1-0 win over hosts ZNK Pomurje on Thursday, USA legend Heather O’Reilly scoring the decisive fourth-minute goal on a fairytale Champions League debut.
But first-half goals from Cyera Hintzen, Solveig Johannesdottir, and another from Elisa Vidarsdottir, at the Mestni Stadion Fazanerija ultimately brought the curtain down on their European dream for another year yesterday.
“A disappointing day for the Reds. Beaten by a better side, but had to contend with an inconsistent performance from the officials,” Shels wrote on Twitter afterwards.
A disappointing day for the Reds. Beaten by a better side, but had to contend with an inconsistent performance from the officials.
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) August 21, 2022
FT | ⚪️🔵 0-3 🔴⚪️#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/KnEMs67RKd
This is only the beginning of a team with some of the brightest young talents in the country.
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) August 21, 2022
A credit to the club, a credit to the @LoiWomen and a credit to themselves and their family. #DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/tc53109KQn
The officiating came under serious fire on social media, with some questionable decisions highlighted on a Twitter thread, while the Shels players and small contingent of travelling supporters were visibly aggrieved and frustrated throughout the game.
Former Reds player and now backroom staff member Rebecca Creagh noted:
“Wasn’t to be tonight, officials were poison, but credit to Valur. The girls have been amazing all week, put their hearts and souls into the effort to progress in the CL, staff too. Huge thanks to the travelling fans, and ones back home too.
“Shelbourne FC, what a club to be a part of!”
Wasn’t to be tonight, officials were poison,but credit to Valur.. the girls have been amazing all week, put their hearts and souls into the effort to progress in the CL, staff too.
— Rebecca Creagh (@beccajunior7) August 21, 2022
Huge thanks to the travelling fans, and ones back home too. @shelsfc , what a club to be apart of! pic.twitter.com/nTKYRrS34F
The noise didn’t just come from Shelbourne quarters, with DLR Waves player Avril Brierley writing on Twitter: “Uefa need to take a long hard look at the officials they allow handle these games. They’re an embarrassment to the sport #WCL”
King’s side must now switch their focus back to defending their Women’s National League title and advancing in the FAI Women’s Cup, cruelly exiting Europe and denied progression to the group stages after just one defeat.
They’d have joined only two Irish sides in ever doing so — Peamount United in 2011 and Raheny United, who amalgamated as Shels in 2014; with Wexford Youths the only other club to fly the flag in the competition since the inception of the WNL 11 years ago.
The Reds return to league action on Saturday night, facing Galway WFC at Eamonn Deacy Park [7.35pm, TG4]. They’re two points clear of Wexford as we hit the business end, with Athlone Town and Peamount United in third and fourth respectively.
They must park their European chapter for now, but an overwhelming sense of pride will remain, as seen by the players’ tweets over the past few hours:
Pearl Slattery
Legends🙌🏽thanks for all the support here and at home. What a club ❤️@shelsfc pic.twitter.com/P7zoE4uytq
— Pearl Slattery (@pearl_slattery) August 21, 2022
Noelle Murray
Best fans in the world here and back at home @shelsfc ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/UXgfNT3ysq
— Noelle Murray (@NoelleM11) August 21, 2022
Jessie Stapleton
proud of this team 🐚🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/qPTWey9uYQ
— Jessie Stapleton (@JessStapleton_) August 21, 2022
Rachel Graham
We gave it our all but it wasn’t meant to be. Thanks to everyone who supported us both home and here 🐚
— Rachel Graham (@RaquelleG) August 21, 2022
This club 🙌🏼 @shelsfc pic.twitter.com/SneoWt9MtT
